![\"giffard](\"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/giffard-rhubarb.jpg\")
What\u2019s inside?<\/p>\nGiffard is one of the most celebrated producers of essential bar ingredients, and they have a diverse range of liqueurs and syrups to fire the imagination of any mixologist or home aficionado.<\/p>\n
Back in 1885 \u00c9mile Giffard was a pharmacist in Angers in Val de Loire, France. The date is still emblazoned on the label of every bottle. He was a lover of fine food and drink as well as having a knowledge of chemistry. He first developed a refined white digestive liqueur from mint. After the success of his first venture \u00c9mile turned his pharmacy into a distillery and named his liqueur Menthe-Pastille as a homage to the popular tiny mint sweets. Four generations later, Giffard & Co is still in the hands of the Giffard family.<\/p>\n
A tempting array<\/p>\n
The basic ingredients for the Giffard range are simply fruits and plants which are mostly found in the region of the Pays de Loire; other more exotic ingredients come from around the world. The fruits are macerated in alcohol for between two days and three months. The company now offers a tempting array of more than twenty classic liqueurs as well as plenty of premium liqueurs, cr\u00e8mes de fruits, and a range of historic brands; there are also the Bigallet distillery products and a huge selection of syrups. Any one of these bottles would have the enthusiastic barperson reaching for the shaker \u2026or is it stirrer?<\/p>\n
I have tried the Rhubarb Liqueur from the Classic selection and it had my mixing mind racing. Wines are all about taste, but a cocktail is first consumed with one\u2019s eyes. The statuesque bottle has a collar illustrating rhubarb; the glass bottle is embossed with signature, date and address; and then comes that instantly recognisable paper label. The bottle begs to be opened and tasted.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s inside?<\/p>\n
Appearance: clear and peach-pink
\nNose: distinctive aroma of fresh rhubarb
\nPalate: rhubarb fruitiness, tart and refreshing. Hints of grapefruit and sweet summer berries
\nFinish: medium, sweet, citrus peel<\/p>\n
I have been tinkering with cocktails using Giffard\u2019s Rhubarb Liqueur, taking advantage of its complex and delicious profile. I call this autumn-inspired cocktail \u2018Rhubarb and Apple Pie\u2019. I have listed ingredients by measure so it\u2019s easy to create individual drinks or a jugful for a crowd.<\/p>\n
1 measure vodka
\n2 measures Giffard\u2019s Rhubarb Liqueur
\n3 measures (or to taste) crisp dry cider (well chilled)
\na couple of drops of orange bitters (per cocktail)<\/p>\n
Fill a shaker with plenty of ice and add Giffard\u2019s Rhubarb Liqueur and vodka.
\nShake well to chill.
\nPour the chilled cocktail into a tumbler and top up with chilled cider.
\nAdd a couple of dashes of orange bitters (per cocktail) and stir.
\nGarnish with dried apple slices.<\/p>\n